[Dougger]

This has probably been discussed extensively, but it's a tough topic to sort throught the search results for.

So I have two 80mm fans, and my new Gigabyte MOBO has the one system fan connection. I know I could use a spare PSU connection, but I'd like to use the variable voltage fan control that the MOBO features for both fans.

Any current draw issues with combining the fans? Can't imagine they draw much, but I didn't want to be blythe about it either. I assume that there are adaptors for this (?).

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What is the model of your motherboard and what are your system specs that might help to give you more information on your system and what options you have.

[Dan1887]

What is the model of your motherboard and what are your system specs that might help to give you more information on your system and what options you have.

[Dougger]

Right then:

GIGABYTE GA-8I945GZME-RH LGA 775 Intel 945GZ Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
ENERMAX EG495AX-VE FMA ATX12V Ver 2.2 485W Power Supply - Retail
Intel Pentium D 805 Smithfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model HH80551PE0672MN - OEM
CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory Model
ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail

That's all the new stuff. The 80mm fans are existing; don't have any detail on those right here - they're nothing special, though.

Edited by Dougger, 16 January 2007 - 12:55 PM.

[Dan1887]

Ok you ahve two options, either use a psu connector which you did not want to do or get something like this, http://www.tigerdire...a...2&CatId=474. Although I am unsure whether or not the mobo's fan control will be able to differentiate or if it will set the same speed for both fans, you should have no problem with voltage or anything like that tho.

[Dougger]

Thanks - that is kind of what I'm picturing. Based on my gleaning from the MOBO manual, being that these are 3-pin fans, the type of control will be variable voltage rather than PWM. Although, PWM probably wouldn't be a bid deal either, but since they're just a parallel load on the MOBO, they should each see the same varying voltage and modulate in parralel accordingly.

[Dan1887]

Yup that was pretty much what I was thinking after I read your mobo's manual didn't know if thats what you wanted them to do, however that is the piece that your are going to need if thats what you had in mind

[SRX660]

Daggone, tiger direct is expensive.

http://www.directron.com/y3pin.html

http://www.directron.../3splitter.html

http://www.nexfan.co...to4padwirp.html

http://www.nexfan.com/4pinycable.html

And you can always buy case fans that have their own thermal control.

http://www.directron.com/uc001btc.html

Now i personally use these adjustable manual control fans . I have the control marked where they ar the quietest and can always turn them up if needed. I use a knobbed dual fan controller by thermaltake but they all work about the same.

http://www.directron.com/uc8fab.html

http://www.directron.com/a2140.html

SRX660

[Dougger]

Daggone, tiger direct is expensive.

Yeah, especially the Canadian site

I thought nothing of the little flag with the red maple leaf until it wouldn't accept my zip code

Got the giblet from Newegg for $1.99. This after stopping at CompUSA, BestBuy, and RadioShack, in that order, on the way home from work.

So I figure with the 2 case fans, the dual fans on the Enermax, and the Zalman fan, I should be fine. Especially since the box's main mission is email, Quicken, and some occasional multitrack recording. Athough after a thorough disassembly and cleaning, I believe I'm going to have to keep after the cat fuzz betterer.

[Dan1887]

Yeah tiger direct is hardly a steal in anysense of the word oher then you feel like you have been robbed.

[sarahw]

Get a fan controller that connects to a 4 pin molex. There are heaps around these days. That should be enough to power at least 5-6watts per channel, more than enough for even 120mm fans with led's.
I have the "thermaltake harcano 12" and the "aerocool Gatewatch 2".